When to Overseed Lawn in South Dakota
Learn when and how to overseed your lawn in South Dakota from the experts at Jonathan Green. We can help you grow a healthier, better-looking lawn that will not be subject to most lawn problems.
About Jonathan Green
Jonathan Green is a leading supplier of cool season grass seed, soil enhancers, fertilizer, and organic lawn and garden products to professional customers, such as sod growers and independent retailers, including garden centers and hardware stores, across the United States.
We are also leaders in organics and have developed an environmentally sound approach to lawn care called the New American Lawn Plan. The Plan combines our Black Beauty grass seed mixtures with organic and traditional soil amendments, lawn fertilizers and control products that feed your lawn AND your soil so air, water and nutrients get absorbed by the grass.
Overseeding Your South Dakota Lawn
Overseeding, also called reseeding, means adding more grass plants to an existing lawn without removing the turf or the soil. It will increase the lawn’s thickness and density, protect it against damage from insects and diseases, and help you achieve a lush and vibrant lawn.
In South Dakota, early fall is the best time to overseed your lawn. Soil temperatures in the fall are still warm, which promotes optimum seed germination, and cooler air temperatures are better for grass growth. Warm-season weeds are also far less active at this time of year.
With the right amount of moisture, fertilizer, and sunlight, your new grass will have two to three months to establish itself before cold winter temperatures stop its growth.
Keep in mind that your lawn will never be better than the seed you plant, so we recommend overseeding with either Jonathan Green Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed mixture or Black Beauty® Fall Magic Grass Seed mixture. They will grow a naturally dark-green and beautiful lawn with excellent heat and drought tolerance with germination in 10 to 14 days.
Prepare the Soil
The key to successful overseeding is having good seed-to-soil contact. Rake out any dead grass and loosen compacted soil with a rake or garden weasel about a half-inch deep to give the new roots a good chance to grow in the loosened soil. If your lawn area is large, consider renting a slit seeder, aerator or de-thatching machine.
Use a soil pH tester to ensure that the pH is between 6.2 and 7.0. To rapidly raise the soil’s pH and help the lawn grow greener and healthier, use Jonathan Green MAG-I-CAL®. It can be applied the same day as the grass seed is spread.
This is also a great time to apply Veri-Green Starter Fertilizer for Seeding & Sodding, our high phosphorus formula that helps build a vigorous root system and gets new grass plantings off to a fast start.
If you have a small lawn, you may be able to broadcast Jonathan Green Black Beauty® seed by hand. For larger lawns, a Jonathan Green Deluxe Broadcast Spreader is the best way to quickly cover a lot of ground and achieve uniform and even coverage. Make sure that the seed is slightly buried in the top soil.
Mentioned Products
When you’re ready to overseed your lawn in South Dakota, we encourage you to read our Seeding Guide for additional information and then visit Jonathan Green online or find your nearest independent retail store for the very best turfgrass products.